Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2026

Hemi-laryngeal Setup for Studying Vocal Fold Vibration in Three Dimensions
Published on: November 25, 2017
Glottal contact quotient in Mediterranean tongue trill
Abdul-latif Hamdan1, Jihad Nassar, Zeid Al Zaghal
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon. ah77@aub.edu.lb
Objective:
To determine the effect of a Mediterranean tongue trill (Zalghouta) on estimated glottal closed quotient (CQ).
Material And Method:
A total of 10 female subjects participated in this study. Vocal fold CQ was measured for both sustained vowel [a] and the tongue trill named Zlaghouta using electroglottography. Frequencies and means (±standard deviation) were used to describe categorical and continuous variables, respectively. The Wilcoxon signed nonparametric test was used to determine any significant changes in CQ means pretrill and during trill.
Results:
There was a significant decrease in the mean CQ during the Mediterranean tongue trill (Zalghouta) versus the sustained vowel [a] (P value of 0.002) by 15.98. When stratified by training status there was a significant decrease for the trained group (P value of 0.031) and a nonsignificant decrease for the untrained group (P value of 0.125).
Conclusion:
Zalghouta induces a decrease in the vocal fold contact time. The potential benefits of the Mediterranean tongue trill in vocal therapy need consideration.
Related Concept Videos
Deglutition
Swallowing can be divided into three stages: the voluntary phase, the pharyngeal phase, and the esophageal phase. Although the...
Larynx
Anatomy of the Larynx
The larynx consists of various components, including cartilage, muscles, and vocal cords. Its structure includes three large unpaired cartilages—the thyroid, cricoid, and epiglottis—and three smaller paired cartilages—the arytenoids, corniculates, and...
Pharynx
Nasopharynx
The nasopharynx, bordered by the conchae of the nasal cavity, serves exclusively as an air conduit. In its superior region, the pharyngeal tonsils or adenoids are located. These tonsils are clusters of lymphoid reticular tissue akin to a lymph node. The precise...
Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract II: Palpation
Thoracic Palpation
Thoracic palpation detects tenderness, masses, lesions, respiratory excursions, and vocal fremitus. The nurse assesses...
Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract IV: Auscultation
Breath Sounds
Breath sounds are categorized into vesicular, bronchovesicular, and bronchial.
Respiratory System Abnormal Finding II: Palpation and Auscultation
Palpation Findings
During a respiratory assessment, palpation can reveal several vital abnormalities:

